Unlock the secret to radiant and youthful skin with a simple and convenient practice – fasting for skin! Enhance your anti-aging skincare routine with a holistic approach and watch as your body redirects its energy producing brighter, younger-looking skin.
Fasting takes your anti-aging skincare routine to the next level because you’re not fighting the uphill battle with just your skincare products. You’re taking a holistic approach to support your health and your skin. If you’ve invested in anti-aging skincare products, read on to discover how to make them more effective!
While fasting, the body gets a break from digestion and is able to redirect its energy toward maintenance activities, including cellular renewal. This leads to brighter, fresher-looking skin, increased collagen and elastin production, and reduced inflammation.
You’re already fasting overnight while you’re sleeping. Say, for example, you stop eating at 7pm and you don’t eat anything until 8am. That’s a 13-hour fast.
Fasting as part of your skincare routine is not to be confused with “skin fasting,” which involves abstaining from skincare products. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of fasting as part of your eating routine and how they relate to skincare.
The Benefits of Fasting
Fasting is a simple practice that can be used to support cellular turnover and regeneration. This occurs because the body has more energy to put towards these activities when it is not busy with digestion.
Fasting has many benefits for the body, not just your skin. It can help set the body’s circadian rhythm, increase its sensitivity to insulin, and provide increased mental focus.
During a fasting period, your body searches for and removes dead cells, toxins, and damaged tissues. As a result, older cells die off and are removed from the body.
New cells are generated, producing cellular renewal. This leads to brighter, fresher-looking skin, increased collagen and elastin production, and reduced inflammation.
Dr. Peter Attia, a specialist in fasting and nutrition, states, “Fasting dials down inflammatory pathways, which has a host of benefits, including reduced risk of chronic diseases, improved brain function, and better skin health.”
Fasting creates mild stress in the body, which makes cells adapt and become more efficient. Autophagy is a natural process in which the body breaks down and reuses old cell parts for more efficient cell operation. It begins when cells are stressed or deprived of nutrients, and preliminary studies suggest it may start after 24 to 48 hours of fasting.
The natural processes of cellular adaptation and renewal during a fast leaves your body and skin feeling rejuvenated and more youthful.
A Cellular Look at Fasting for Skin
Fasting gives your body the opportunity to remove skin cells that have died naturally due to a natural process called apoptosis. The skin then generates new cells and rebuilds new tissues.
The skin makes use of amino acids to create the building blocks for the skin to renew itself. These building blocks include fiber-forming proteins, such as collagen, peptides, elastin, and fibrin.
These proteins provide a matrix structure for new skin cells, which is crucial for youthful-looking skin. As the skin ages, it produces less collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. Collagen is what gives skin its firmness and elastin gives skin elasticity and rebound. Hyaluronic acid helps skin stretch and reduces wrinkles.
How to Fast as Part of an Anti-Aging Skincare Routine
Fasting is a convenient and flexible practice that can be done anywhere, while you’re doing other things. It is recommended to fast for 16 hours every other day (3x/wk) or 24 hours once per week. For women, the best time to fast is during the follicular phase of your menstrual cycle, rather than the luteal phase.
To make fasting a part of your anti-aging skincare routine, start by introducing easy fasting time periods for beginners. Gradually increase the duration of your fasts as you become more comfortable with the practice. There are supplements that can help with fasting and skincare, including ones that support energy levels and reduce feelings of deprivation during a fast.
How Fasting Affects Hormones
Fasting has an impact on hormones, particularly in women. It increases cortisol levels and improves insulin sensitivity. These effects can be beneficial for anti-aging skincare as they support cellular renewal and reduce inflammation. However, it is important to consult with your doctor before starting any new diet or lifestyle change, especially if you have any pre-existing medical conditions.
Before you start fasting as part of your anti-aging skincare routine, remember to always consult with your doctor first to determine if it’s safe for you. This simple precaution can help you avoid any potential complications and ensure that you’re on the right track toward healthier and more beautiful skin.
Maintaining Energy & Avoiding Deprivation While Fasting
Fasting can sometimes feel like a deprivation of energy, but it is possible to maintain a sense of abundance while fasting. This can be done by staying hydrated with electrolyte-rich water, engaging in physical activity, and eating nutrient-dense meals during your eating periods. Fasting is a simple and convenient way to support your overall health and well-being, and it can have a positive impact on your skin health.
In conclusion, fasting is a good option for an anti-aging skincare routine. It gives the body a break from digestion and allows it to redirect its energy toward maintenance activities, including cellular renewal. This leads to brighter, fresher-looking skin, increased collagen and elastin production, and reduced inflammation.
Fasting is convenient and can be done anywhere, while you’re doing other things. Start with easy fasting time periods for beginners, and gradually increase the duration of your fasts as you become more comfortable with the practice. Fasting is a simple and effective way to support your overall health and well-being, and it can have a positive impact on your skin health.
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References
- Bragazzi NL, Sellami M, Salem I, Conic R, Kimak M, Pigatto PDM, Damiani G. Fasting and Its Impact on Skin Anatomy, Physiology, and Physiopathology: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature. Nutrients. 2019 Jan 23;11(2):249. doi: 10.3390/nu11020249. PMID: 30678053; PMCID: PMC6413166. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6413166/
- Intermittent Fasting and Your Health: What You Need to Know. Boulder Medical Center. https://www.bouldermedicalcenter.com/6703-2/
- Why does skin wrinkle with age? What is the best way to slow or prevent this process? Scientific American. September 26, 2005. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-does-skin-wrinkle-wit/
- Peter Attia, MD. https://peterattiamd.com/category/nutritional-biochemistry/fasting/
